Short takes for Jan. 7

January 7, 2011

THUMBS UP: Only time will tell what kind of governor DFLer Mark Dayton will be, but he's off to an auspicious - and applaudable - start. On Wednesday, Minnesota's new governor welcomed tea party protesters into the reception room at the Capitol. He basically shared the spotlight in his first news conference with the enemy, calling the reception room a "public room where all points of view are honored." These are the people who booed Dayton, who signed an executive order to extend Medicaid coverage to 12,000 uninsured adults and thousands of others. Dayton wasn't persuaded to not sign the order, but what he did was show good faith in letting the protesters' voice be heard. The new governor made it known who was running the show and that the protesters would not steal it, but he deserves credit for an honest attempt at an open-door policy.

Tracy rethinking library plans

THUMBS UP: While it pushes the process back, library board members in Tracy are doing the right thing in taking another look at a previously-approved remodeling plan for the new Tracy Public Library, which will be housed in the former Coffee on Third building. The board was set to discuss the library plan at its meeting Thursday. Proposed changes would include moving a children's reading area from the front entrance to the back of the library, the Tracy Headlight Herald said. It's more of a safety issue than anything, as the move would push children away from an open stairway.

Blyleven gets the call

THUMBS UP: Bert Blyleven became the fourth Twin to be elected to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Blyleven, fifth on the all-time strikeout list and owner of more than 240 complete games and 60 shutouts, was selected on his 14th ballot. Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame might be one of the toughest professional sports halls to get into, and that's the way it should be, but Blyleven shouldn't have had to wait this long. Although his reputation is spotty, he was a true character when he played and possessed one of the nastiest curveballs in the history of the game. Plus, he was a member of two World Series champions. It's about time this true great was circled.